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FHX MTP/MPO-12 Cassettes vs. FHX MTP/MPO-8 Cassettes

With the increase of network throughput, 40GbE network has become widespread and 100GbE is also extensively deployed. Under this circumstance, traditional LC cabling can not meet the high speed and high density demand of the data center. Therefore, achieving higher transmission rates and finding suitable solutions for high density cabling become the top priority. The emergence of FHX MTP/MPO cassette is a quite good news to high density cabling, which not only serves as a perfect solution for high performance data transmission but also saves space in data center. Commonly used FHX MTP/MPO cassettes are FHX MTP-12 cassettes and FHX MTP-8 cassettes. This article will cover what are they and difference between them.

Overview of FHX MTP/MPO Cassettes

MTP/MPO cassette is widely used for high-density cabling in data centers. It is pre-terminated and pre-tested enclosed unit which can provide secure transition between MTP and LC, SC or MTP discrete connectors. And it is usually structured with LC, SC or MTP adapters on the front side of the cassette and MTP adapters at the rear of the cassette. FHX MTP/MPO cassette has three types: FHX MTP/MPO-12 cassette, FHX MTP/MPO-8 cassette and FHX MTP/MPO conversion module. Commonly used are the former ones.

FHX MTP/MPO-12 Cassettes vs. FHX MTP/MPO-8 Cassettes

As both Base-8 and Base-12 play an important role on the basis of MTP system, some network designers may ask “Will one cabling solution fit all applications? They don’t look much different?” Although they have the same function, and the only difference is 12 fibers vs 8 fibers, one cabling solution can’t fit all applications.

We know that Base-12 makes use of fiber optical links based on increments of 12 fibers and 12-fiber MTP fiber optic connector is common used. However, there is a problem when using Base-12 cabling solution—four fibers for transmit and four fibers for receive, leaving four fibers unused per connection. While Base-8 can be a more cost-effective option for end-to-end MPO to MPO channels and architectures. Deploying Base-8 connectivity in duplex architectures for 10GBASE-SR and 25GBASE-SR will save 4% to 5% for data center managers, but if you are running groups of 6-ports, Base-8 may result in a significant cost increase.

Network built with 8-fiber MTP system can transmit the same data with less cost and higher density compared with 12-fiber MTP system. All fiber will be 100% utilized in base-8 MTP products. It could be a cost-effect solution for both 40G to 40G transmission and 40G to 10G transmission. For more MTP/MPO base 8 vs base 12 link, you can read: 8-Fiber MTP VS. 12-Fiber MTP Cables

Conclusion

There are a variety of advantages of FHX MPO/MTP cassette modules. With the easy-installed design, it can greatly reduce the labor cost and save more space and time. In addition, it is easier for management and maintenance and has lower security risk. It satisfies the demands for high optical port density and system interoperability. Thus, it is more and more popular among users. MPO/MTP cassette modules can be used in both lower fiber count break out applications (e.g., server cabinets) and high fiber count interconnects by mounting in chassis. It is an ideal solution for interconnection or cross-connection in telecommunications networks, WDM applications, data center cabling, backbone cabling and 40/100G communication network.

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How Much Do You Know About Gigabit Ethernet Switch?

Gigabit Ethernet Switch: Managed or Unmanaged?

Gigabit Ethernet switches are either managed or unmanaged. Usually an unmanaged switch is referred as a “dumb switch”, which can be easily operated by every noob. It behaves like a “plug and play” device. A basic unmanaged gigabit Ethernet switch has no user configuration. It is placed in the network with the cables plugged in and the unit turned on, and there is nothing else to do. In contrast, a mangaed gigabit switch can be configured, and can be monitored and adjusted at your discretion, such as adjust speeds, combine users in subgroups, monitor traffic and report network activity. Although a managed switch is typically more expensive than an unmanaged switch, but it offer much greater flexibility.

Gigabit Ethernet Switch or Ethernet Hub?

Although an Ethernet switch is sometimes called a hub, because a switch performs the same job as a hub, there is a huge difference between a true hub and a gigabit Ethernet switch. An Ethernet hub is a device that connects multiple Ethernet devices to a single network. A hub does not gather information and input in one port results as an output in all ports on the network. While a gigabit switch is considered as a more intelligent hub, because it gathers information about the data packets it receives and forwards it to only the network that it was intended for.

Gigabit Ethernet Switch Recommendations

A gigabit Ethernet switch can be an inexpensive and easy way to expand your network in your home or small business. After probing into some parameters like brand, popularity, reviews and performance, here is a list of network switches including Ethernet switches for home, port gigabit Ethernet switches, cost-effective gigabit switches etc.

FS.COM S1130-8T2F 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Managed Switch NETGEAR GS116Ev2 16-Port Gigabit Smart Managed Plus Switch Cisco SG 300-20 (SRW2016-K9-NA) 20-Port Switch Dimensions 11 x 8.3x1.7 in 16.9 x 6.6 x 2.8 in 17.32 x 7.97 x 1.75 in Ethernet Ports 8 16 20 Switching Capacity 20Gbps 32Gbps 40Gbps PoE Standard Compliant with IEEE802.3af/at × × Enclosure Type Rack mount - 1U Desktop Desktop, Rack-mount - 1U Power consumption 15.4W 10W 16.26W Price $159.00 $156.88 $184.95

Conclusion

A gigabit Ethernet switch enables devices like computers and printers to connect directly to the internet instead of relying on Wi-Fi. It can speed up data transfers, resulting in faster response times and better frame rates. Additionally, a gigabit switch expands network capacity via the extra ports. Some Ethernet switches with different ports are recommended for your reference, such as FS.COM 8-port PoE switch, NETGEAR 16-port smart managed switch and Cisco 20-Port Ethernet Switch. If you need any 24 Port gigabit switch and 48 Port gigabit switch, or any equipment related to your network,visit www.fs.com for help.

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8-Port Ethernet Switch Best Buy

With the development of smart home and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), there is a growing number of PoE devices like IP cameras, VoIP phone, wireless access points (WAP), IoT devices being used. Therefore, Ethernet switches are required to be able to support numbers of PoE installations. For SMBs or large enterprises with many network devices, they may consider 24-port PoE managed switch or 48-port managed PoE switch. For small home use, 8 port PoE gigabit switch managed would be enough. This post will recommend some cost-effective 8-port Giagbit PoE switch for your reference.

NETGEAR GSS108EPP 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Managed Click Switch

NETGEAR GSS108EPP 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Smart Managed Click Switch features innovative click mount for vertical, horizontal, flat of perpendicular mounting capabilities. It is a 8-port Gigabit Ethernet switch with 4 PoE+ ports (802.3af and 802.3at) providing up to 30w per port with 47w total PoE power budget and 4 non-PoE ports for flexible deployment. It’s greatest highlight is simple installation and silent operation. To install, just mount the bracket onto a wall, desk, table leg/pole or Virtually AnywhereTM, and "Click" the switch into the bracket. The price is about $149.99. Its specification is as followed:

Category Smart Managed Plus Number of Users 1-50 Target Applications VoIP, Video Surveillance, Wireless, IoT Copper Ports 8 x 1G PoE (PoE+) Ports 4 (4) PoE Budget 47w VLANs/QoS √ Security Auto DoS prevention Routing n/a Form Factor Click Mount

TP-LINK TL-SG1008PE 8-Port Giagbit PoE Switch

TP-LINK TL-SG1008PE is a 8-ports 10/100/1000Base-T gigabit Ethernet unmanaged switch. It has 8 PoE+ (RJ45) ports, and supports PoE+ IEEE 802.3af/at compliant devices with total power budget of 124w and up to 30w per port. It also supports IEEE 802.3x flow control for full duplex mode and backpressure for half duplex mode, internal power supply. Moreover, with innovative energy-efficient technology, the TL-SG1008PE can save up to 75% of the power consumption. The price is about $149.99. Its specification is as followed:

Interface 8 10/100/1000Mbps RJ45 Ports AUTO Negotiation/AUTO MDI/MDIX Power Supply 124W Backbound Bandwidth VoIP, Video Surveillance, Wireless, IoT Fan Quantity 1 Transfer Method Store-And-Forward Consumption 9.5 watts (max. no PD connected) 140.1 watts (max. with 124w PD connected)

FS.COM S1130-8T2F 8-Port Gigabit PoE+ Managed Switch

S1130-8T2F managed PoE+ switch comes with 8x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ45 Ethernet ports, 1x console port, and 2x gigabit SFP slots. It can supply power to network equipment such as weather-proof IP cameras with windshield wiper and heater, high-performance AP and IP telephone. This managed PoE+ switch are highly flexible, the transmission distance of the SFP fiber port can be up to 120km, and with high resistance to electromagnetic interference. It also features superior performance in stability, environmental adaptability and fanless design. The price is about $159.00. Its specification is as followed:

Switch Class Layer2+ Switching Capacity 20Gbps Forwarding Rate 14.88Mpps Power Consumption Per PoE Port Max. 30W VLANs Up to 4K Max. Power Consumption 130W Web Management Interface Supported Power Supply Input 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz

Conclusion

From the above 8 Port Ethernet switch recommendations, we can see the three switches share both similarities and difference. All of them support PoE function and are compliant with IEEE 802.3af/at. All can be used in home and small office applications. But their maximum power consumption are different. FS.COM S1130-8T2F 8-port Giagbit PoE switch has the largest max power consumption. As for which to choose, it largely depends on your specific requirements. If you need to use PoE devices with larger power consumption and a decent price, FS.COM S1130-8T2F 8-port PoE managed switch is a better option.

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SFP-10G-SR vs. SFP-10G-SR-S

SFP-10G-SR is a popular 10G SFP+ optical transceiver in terms of quantity used. It is considered as the mainstream form factor of the 2017 market due to its matured technology and reduced price, even although 40G/100G optical modules are on the very top trend for enterprise and data center for the interconnection. But two years ago, Cisco introduced S-class optics such as SFP-10G-SR-S for enterprise and data center applications. For some web searchers, he will be recommended with SFP-10G-SR-S rather than SFP-10G-SR. But they almost share the same characteristics, so SFP-10G-SR vs. SFP-10G-SR-S, why choose one over the other? Hope this post may give some clue.

SFP-10G-SR vs. SFP-10G-SR-S: Similarity

Seemingly and technically, they don’t have much difference. SFP-10G-SR-S shares the same product specification with SFP-10G-SR. SFP-10G-SR is compliant with 10GBASE-SR standard. The Cisco 10GBASE-SR module supports a link length of 26m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fiber, up to 300m link lengths over OM3 and 400m link lengths over OM4 cables.

Cisco SFP-10G-SR transceiver is hot-swappable input/output device which allows a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port to link with a fiber optic network. Because it is hot-swappable and MSA compliant, the Cisco SFP-10G-SR transceiver can be plugged directly into any Cisco SFP+ based transceiver port, without the need to power down the host network system. This capability makes moves, add-ons and exchanges quick and painless.

SFP-10G-SR vs. SFP-10G-SR-S: Difference

According to Cisco, S-class optics are intended for enterprise and data center 10G and 40G applications This new set of optics does not display several unnecessary features for these applications, bringing about a more attractive price. That explains why SFP-10G-SR-S price is lower than SFP-10G-SR price.

Except the price, there are some other differences. SFP-10G-SR-S optics aren’t TAA certified. However, the non-S-class optics such as SFP-10G-SR are all compliant to TAA. SFP-10G-SR-S optics only have COM (Commercial temperature range: 0~70℃). However, the temperature range of SFP-10G-SR can be EXT (Extended temperature range: -5~85℃), IND (Industrial temperature range: -40~85℃) and Storage temperature range (-40~85℃). In terms of protocols, SFP-10G-SR-S optics use Ethernet only, they cannot use OTN (Optical Transport Network) or WAN-PHY (Wide Area Network Physics). Furthermore, SFP-10G-SR-S optics just have 10G and 40G applications so far which is specified for 10G and 40G enterprise and data center. Thus, if you don’t need any special features like extra tolerance for temperature, S-Class optics can save you a considerable amount of money.

SFP-10G-SR Price Comparison

Since equipment SFP-10G-SR vendors all rely on MSAs when designing their transceivers, every supplier can produce the transceiver modules with the same functions but with different prices. Unless you have a 100% requirement to buy Cisco, there are a lot of 3rd party compatible vendors out there that you can save a lot of money by using. Here is a price list from different vendors for you to choose from.

Vendor Model Brand Price CDW SFP-10G-SR Cisco $693.99 Router-Switch SFP-10G-SR Cisco $262.00 Monoprice SFP-10G-SR Ironlink $136.75 10Gtek SFP-10G-SR 10Gtek $41.05 FS.COM SFP-10G-SR FS.COM $16.00

Conclusion

Although SFP-10G-SR vs. SFP-10G-SR-S, they share identical specification, there still are some minor difference. In most cases, SFP-10G-SR-S optics are recommended for 10G and 40G applications due to its low cost.both SFP-10G-SR price and SFP-10G-SR-S price is relatively lower according to the above chart, and they also enjoy good quality. If you need any third-party optical modules or fiber optic cables, give FS.COM a shot.

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Armoured Cable vs. Unarmoured Cable: What's The Difference?

With the rapid development of optical communication, more and more fiber optic cables are increasingly used in different environments. What if under harsh conditions? Then it’s crucial to ensure your cables smooth and reliable operation when transmitting data. This is where armoured cable comes into play. An armoured cable, as its name suggests, is protected against mechanical damage, whereas an unarmoured cable not being protected. What is the difference between them? And why should we choose armored cable over unarmoured cable? You my find answer in this post.

Amoured Cable Overview

Armoured cable has an extra layer of protection to keep it from being cut or abraded. The armor layer of coax cable is a foil wrap that is ribbed like corrugated metal to allow for flexibility, around the inside and outside of that wrap is a flooding compound to keep moisture from penetrating the cable and causing an impairment. The internal structure of 4 core armoured cable consists of many layers to prevent the cable from damage. The outer jacket provides protection against rodent, abrasion and twist, which is usually made of plastic. And the armoring materials are mainly come from kevlar, steel, and aluminum foils, aiming to protect the armored cable from being stretched during installation.

Difference Between Armoured Cable And Unarmoured Cable

Structure

Many people may think that armoured cable just has metal protection. To be precise, the armoring material doesn’t have to be metal, it can be fiber yarn, glass yarn, polyethylene etc. The only thing that makes armored cable different from unarmored cable is that the former has an additional outer protective layer for optical cable. The 4 core armoured cable tends to be more expensive than unarmored cable, while the armoured cable with steel strip and aluminum is much cheaper than armored fiber cable with Kevlar, which is usually used for special occasions.

Application

Armoured cable is installed in locations exposed to mechanical damage, such as on the outsides of walls, as an alternative to conduit. Armoured cable usually has a small metal ribbon to ensure electrical continuity of the safety ground. (You must run a separate ground wire in flexible conduit too; you can't depend on the continuity of the conduit.) In HT & LT distribution, 4 core armoured cable is preferred. Inside walls and in other protected locations, less expensive unarmored electrical cable can be installed instead. Unarmoured cable is mainly used for control systems.

Why Should Use Armoured Cable Over Unarmoured Cable?

There are a couple of reasons that armoured cable should be used. The biggest reason is about strength, because armored cable was used more extensively in past decades when cable was simply directly buried under dirt and not used through a conduit. Nowadays most local municipalities require conduits to be trenched in prior to installing network components, thus eliminating the need for unarmored cable in most applications. Secondly, rodents or animals can and will chew through cables so the armor protects the cables from damage by animal or shoveling in direct bury applications. Thirdly, the most uncommon reason it would be used is in an RF environment that has an off air RF signal that is powerful enough to interfere with your network, the armor when grounded can provide another layer of RF protection.

Conclusion

Armoured cable can be regarded as a kind of strengthened cable, which is harder and stronger than standard optical cable. With an unparalleled protection against physical damage without sacrificing flexibility or functionality within fiber networks, 4 core armored cable is a perfect addition to any fiber network in hazardous environments.

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An In-depth Understanding Into Multimode Fiber Jumper

A multimode fiber jumper, also called multimode patch cable or multimode patch cord is one type of fiber optic patch cable mostly used for communication over short distances. Typical multimode fiber jumper can transmit data rates of 10 Mbit/s to 10 Gbit/s over 600 meters. Based on the types of multimode fiber, multimode patch cable can be divided into OM1 fiber, OM2 fiber, OM3 patch cable, OM4 fiber and the newly released OM5 fiber. What is exactly multimode fiber jumper and what are the applications of them? You may know multimoder fiber jumper better after reading this post.

What Is Multimode Fiber Jumper?

Multimode fiber jumpers are described by their core and cladding diameters. There are two kinds of core sizes: 62.5/125 µm. 50 µm and 62.5 µm refer to the diameters of the fiber core, which is the area that carries light signals. 125 µm means the cladding diameter of the fiber (a strand of human hair is about 100 µm). The fairly larger core of multi-mode fiber jumpers enables multiple light modes to be propagated and limits the maximum length of a transmission link because of modal dispersion.

Types of Multimode Fiber Jumpers

According to the type of paths that the light rays, or modes, multimode fiber jumpers can be categorized into step-index and graded-index multomode fiber. Step-index fiber is a fiber in which the core is of a uniform refractive index and there is a sharp decrease in the index of refraction at the cladding. The core of a step-index fiber has a uniform index of refraction right up to the cladding interface where the index changes in a step-like fashion. Unlike step index fiber, a graded index core contains many layers of glass, each with a lower index of refraction as you go outward from the axis. The higher refractive index at the center makes the light rays moving down the axis advance more slowly than those near the cladding.

Identified by ISO 11801 standard, multimode fiber jumpers can be classified into OM1 fiber, OM2 fiber, OM3 patch cable, OM4 fiber and newly released OM5 fiber. OM1 was first created in mid-80s. As gigabit and 10 gigabit networks have become widely used, an old fiber design has been upgraded. OM2 fiber was used from the late 70s with lasers for telecom applications. Laser-optimized OM3 patch cable or OM4 fiber today is considered by most to be the best choice for multimode applications. OM3 patch cable and OM4 fiber can provide sufficient bandwidth to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to 300 meters. OM5 fiber can transmit 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s and reduced fiber counts for higher speeds.

By the materials of fiber optic cable jackets, multimode fiber jumpers can be divided into four different types: PVC, LSZH, plenum, and armored multimode patch cable. PVC is non-flame retardant, while the LSZH is flame retardant and low smoke zero halogen. Plenum is compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and forms part of the air distribution system. Armored multimode fiber jumpers use rugged shell with aluminum armor and kevlar inside the jacket, and it is 10 times stronger than regular fiber patch cable.

Applications of Multimode Fiber Jumper

Multi-mode fiber jumpers are used to connect high speed and legacy networks like Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Ethernet. For many years, conventional OM1 and OM2 were widely deployed in premises applications supporting data rates ranging from Ethernet (10 Mbit/s) to gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbit/s). Also, they were ideal for use with LED transmitters. Newer deployments often use laser-optimized OM3 patch cable. OM3 patch cable provides sufficient bandwidth to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet up to 300 meters. And OM4 is suitable for distance up to 550 meters. OM5 wideband multimode patch cable has been released this year to support at least four low-cost wavelengths in the 850-950 nm range and transmit 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s and reduced fiber counts for higher speeds.

Conclusion

Through aforementioned description about multimode fiber jumper, hope you can have a clearer understanding toward it. Last but no least, fiber patch cables can sometimes be distinguished by jacket color: for 62.5/125 µm (OM1) and 50/125 µm (OM2), orange jackets are recommended, while Aqua is recommended for laser-optimized OM3 patch cable and OM4 fiber. And lime green for OM5 fiber. If you want either multimode fiber jumper or single mode fiber jumper, welcome to visit www.fs.com for information.

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How Can We Benefit From 24-Port Managed PoE Switch?

When you search for PoE switches, there are many options popping out, and you’ll be trapped into a dilemma. How should I make a decision between managed switches and unmanaged switches? But most recommendations are managed switches. It seems like managed switches are superior to unmanaged switches. It’s true. Because its security features. They allow administrators visibility and control. But the benefits of managed switches are more than this. The following text will cover what managed switches can do and where 24 ports PoE managed switches are used for your reference.

Why Should Choose Managed Switch Over Unmanaged Switch?

A managed switch can seriously expand the long-range flexibility of your network and it can adapt to changing priorities. As your organization grows, your business needs will continue to evolve. Having a device that can respond to the dynamic shape of your operation is a good investment. There are several reasons why a managed switch is recommended:

Managed switches have all the features of an unmanaged switch and additionally have the ability to configure, manage, and monitor your LAN. So this helps you to monitor and decide who should have access to your network and gives you greater control over data flow through your network.

If there is an unused port on your managed switch, you can disable that port or even apply MAC address filtering so as not to allow unauthorised users or devices to access the network by just plugging in. So you can secure your network connections and also protect any unused ports on your switch.

A major advantage of managed switches is the failover redundancy they add to your network, helping to achieve less network downtime. Managed switches incorporate Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to provide path redundancy in the network. This provides redundant paths but prevents loops that are created by multiple active paths between switches.

Where Are 24-Port Managed PoE Switches Used?

What are some of the ways a 24 ports PoE managed switch can enhance your organization’s networking capabilities? We need not look any further than the devices these switches connect. Some of the many things a 24-port PoE switch may be used for are:

Note: S1400-24T4F managed PoE switch comes with 24x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ45 Ethernet ports, 1x console port, 2x combo port, and 2x gigabit SFP slots.

IP Cameras

To power an IP megapixel camera network, you’ll need a total power per port of 30W. For a 24-Port gigabit PoE managed switch with a power budget of 360W, you can continue to add IP cameras until you reach your budget. If you have 2 SFP ports, you can also connect to multiple switches, as well.

PoE Wireless Access Points (WAPs)

PoE WiFi access points (WAPs) require roughly 30 watts per port for efficient functioning. When you adopt PoE managed switches, installation of controllers and access points is greatly simplified. You won’t need to provide separate power cables or install plugs near wi-fi locations. You’d simply run your Cat5e or Cat6 Cable from your HotSpot to your switch and leave it alone.

Thin Clients

According to wikipedia, thin client is a lightweight computer built to connect to a server from a remote location. It has a barebones design and rely heavily on servers, which allow customers to get access to virtual desktop applications. Furthermore, it help lower costs by about 97%. Since they can access applications, sensitive data and memory from a data center via a managed PoE switch, they have no hard drive.

Conclusion

Since a managed switch has much more advantages over an unmanaged one. It’s necessary for you to have a managed switch in your network. In many cases, future-proofing with a better PoE switch (with more ports) may actually be a much better investment than smaller switches that have fewer ports. Thus, 24-port managed PoE switch is recommended here.

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10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver: A New Option For 10GbE Network

10GBASE-T SFP+ transceiver is specifically designed for high speed communication links that require 10 Gigabit Ethernet over copper cable (Cat 6a/7 cable). 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver is the first SFP+ transceiver that offers 10 Gb/s communication over this type of media. Compared with other 10GbE optical modules, the 10GBASE-T copper SFP+ transceiver has stable performance, you can take full advantage of the existing copper cabling. The following post will briefly introduce some related information about 10GBASE-T SFP+ transceiver.

Basic Introduction to 10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver

10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver has high performance, good reliability and is a cost-effective I/O solution for 10G Ethernet and 10G Fibre Channel applications. SFP+ 10GBASE-T copper transceiver is mainly used in Cat 6a or Cat 7 copper cabling system for 10G transmission with a maximum distance up to 100m. In addition, compared with SFP+ DAC, 10GBASE-T copper SFP+ transceiver can save at least 0.5W power consumption, and its port can both support STP (shielded twisted pair) and UTP (unshielded twisted pair). Therefore 10GBASE-T SFP+ transceiver is becoming more and more popular in network switches and servers because of its lower power consumption and pay-as-you-grow flexibility.

10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver Vs. SFP+ Optical Transceiver Vs. SFP+ DAC

SFP+ DAC, SFP+ optical transceiver and 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver are three common components used in 10G connections. The following chart reveals the differences between them.

Form the figure, we can see that each option has its advantages, but 10GBASE-T’s compatibility with existing structured cabling devices and existing low-speed devices makes it uniquely suited for widespread deployment. These features, combined with superior cost and achievable features, make the simplest path of 10GBase migrate from Gigabit Ethernet to 10G Ethernet. What’s more, the 10GBASE-T SFP+ transceiver module has been optimized to save at least 0.5W per port compared to an embedded 10GBASE-T RJ45 port for link distances up to 30m. Thus, the power savings and corresponding operating cost reduction can be substantial.

Features & Advantages of 10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver

Cost effective at up to 30m distance on UTP cables

Extension of the life of any switch hardware, without having to change existing infrastructure

Architecture Flexibility: Supports Top of Rack, Middle of Row or End of Row architectures

Auto-negotiable backward-compatibility with previous-generation BASE-T networks for a seamless migration to 10GbE

Field twisted pair cabling with familiar RJ-45 connector

Support for multi-gigabit data rates up to 10 Gbps

Conclusion

As 10GBASE-T network equipment becomes increasingly available, data center decision makers will want to take advantage of the cost savings, convenience, and flexibility provided by deploying 10 Gb/s technology over balanced twisted-pair copper cabling. Nowadays SFP+ 10GBASE-T transceiver, owing to the compatible issue with switches, is not offered by many vendors. However, from a network equipment designer’s perspective, 10G SFP+ copper modules will become popular in the near future. FS.COM has released 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper modules that are tested compatible with major brands like Cisco, Juniper, Dell, Brocade, Arista.

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Tips For Running Network Cable

Purchasing network cables maybe a simple thing, but choosing and running them maybe knotty. There are too much things that should bear in mind in case one day you have to do this task but without adequate knowledge and training. For example, telephones cables can sometimes tolerate quite a lot of error, so data cabling is less forgiving. This post will focus on five tips to follow while running network cables.

Tip 1: Always Preparing For The Future

Maybe your organization are satisfied with 100 Mbps network connections to the desktop for now, even though 1 Gbps has become a standard. But what if you are moving to a new place and need to install new cables? Will you still choose the old data rate which may suffice for a while or install something that meets today's needs and your needs for the following years? I guess everyone will choose the latter since the labor is the most expensive part of installation project.

Tip 2: Stay Away From Potential Hazards

Noise counts as a latent hazard to cabling for it may attenuate signal. Noise can be produced not only by electrical wires, but also fluorescent lighting, motors, and similar items, which will shed electrical or magnetic interference and cause great damage to cabling infrastructure at the same time. So make sure to stay away these hazardous devices and fixtures while running network cables.

Tip 3: Pay Attention To Distance Limitations

The typical distance limitation for Unshielded Twisted Pairs (UTP) cable up to 1Gbps is 100 meters. However, if you want to upgrade to 10 Gbps or 40 Gbps, then you should pay attention to the distance limitations related to the type of cabling you are going to use. For example, Cat6 cable can support up to 10 Gbps and distances of 37-55 meters (depending on crosstalk). Cat7 can support 10 Gbps over 100 meters, and can transmit up to 40 Gbps at 50 meters and even 100 Gbps at 15 meters.

Tip 4: Don’t Forget to Test Your Cable

Once the cabling installation is done, you should test every cable with appropriate testing tools to ensure that it will work smoothly. This includes verifying length and cable specifications matched to needs. If you need 10 Gbps transmission speeds, make sure that the cable's properties will support that need.

Tip 5: Follow Standards

It’s known that there are eight individual wires inside a cabling jacket. So should we terminate them at random? Definitely no. There are standards in place for a reason. Always take cabling standard into consideration how the Ethernet cables are twisted and placed in the jacket. If you violate the standards, you may bring about damage like noise and inefficiency into your cable and what’s worse, wreaking havoc on the whole network performance. The standard is known as EIA/TIA 568A & 568B Standard. If you are making a crossover cable, you will construct the cable using the 568-A standard on one end, and the 568-B standard on the other.

Conclusion

This post summarized some tips worth noticing before planning cabling infrastructure or while running network cables. Make sure you have the right cable in hand and right installation methods. I hope this post will be of a bit of help to you.

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Connectivity Options For 10GbE Network

The IEEE standard for 10GbE (Gigabit Ethernet), IEEE Standard 802.3ae- 2002, was ratified 15 years ago. Since its inception, large enterprises started deploying 10GbE in their corporate backbones, data centers, and server rooms to support high-bandwidth, mission-critical applications. 10GbE can be used for local and metropolitan area networks. Most medium to large enterprises have 10GbE today or plan to install it in the near future throughout their LANs. Two typical enterprise LAN scenarios are the data center and the campus. To keep pace with the increased I/O demand, network access line rates have migrated 10Gb/s. And accordingly, there are several connectivity solutions to satisfy the network access needs, and each with its pros and cons, then which should I choose? May this post will help you.

Three Connectivity Options For 10GbE Network

SFP+ Direct Attach Cable

SFP+ DAC is a low power consumption and low latency solution offering “pay-as-you-grow” flexibility suitable for 10 Gb/s connections between servers and switches. SFP+ Direct Attached Cables feature rugged twinaxial cables that connect directly into a low-profile small form-factor pluggable plus (SFP+) diecast connector housing. Becoming increasingly popular for short distance top-of-rack (ToR) and middle-of-row (MoR) Data Center deployments, and expected to account for over 40% of 10 gigabit equipment ports, SFP+ Direct Attached Cables also provide enhanced scalability and flexibility. But the installation may be a problem, and the degree of difficulty increases with DAC length. In addition to limited length, a DAC can be an expensive connectivity solution insomuch as it is does not take advantage of installed Cat 6a structured cabling.

SFP+ Optical Transceiver Module

Short wavelength (850nm) optical transceiver modules can be used for lengths up to 300m at 10Gb/s data rates. In comparison, multi-mode fiber cabling is considerably more expensive than Cat 6a UTP and the solution overall is not well suited for cost sensitive network edge applications. Field termination of fiber requires special skill sets and tools which significantly increase the complexity and cost of installation.

10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper RJ45 Transceiver Module

SFP+ 10GBASE-T copper transceiver is specifically designed for high-speed communication links that require 10 gigabit Ethernet over Cat 6a/7 cable with a link limit of 30 m. The power usage and heat generated for 10GBASE-T is 4-8 watts, but SFP+ 10GBASE-T copper transceiver consumes 2.5 watts. Obviously, the specification of SFP+ copper module has been optimized to save more than 0.5 W per port when compared to an embedded 10GBASE-T RJ45 port for link distances up to 30m. These power savings can add-up in ToR, mid-row and end-of-row switch connectivity. Implemented as an SFP+ form factor, the new 10GBASE-T transceiver module also delivers a pay-as-you-grow option.

Conclusion

The new 10GBASE-T SFP+ transceiver module delivers compatibility with Cat 6a UTP structured cabling, up to 30m link distance, at a minimum of 0.5W power saving per port embedded over 10GBASE-T RJ45 ports. It also offers a pay-as-you-grow model representing a flexible and optimized solution for 10Gb/s network access connectivity. Most importantly, it’s sufficient for all network access use cases. FS.COM, as a reliable OEM vendor, rediscovers 10G Ethernet with copper 10GBASE-T SFP+.

[mikowang-blog1]

Core Switch & Edge Switch: How to Make a Decision?

When considering buying a new switch for your small business, you need to ask yourself a few questions: How many devices will the switch need to support? What kinds of devices will I be connecting? Has our network grown to the point where we need a switch with more advanced management capabilities? And here is an important decision you are going to make: whether core or edge for your network.

What Is A Core Switch?

A core switch, is also known as a backbone switch. It is a high-capacity switch generally positioned within the backbone or physical core of a network. Core switches serve as the gateway to a wide area network (WAN) or the Internet—they provide the final aggregation point for the network and allow multiple aggregation modules to work together. You use it to connect to servers, your Internet service provider (ISP) via a router, and to aggregate all switches that your company uses to connect crucial pieces of equipment that your company can’t afford to lose to downtime. As a result, your core switch should always be a fast, full-featured managed switch.

What Is An Edge Switch?

An edge switch also is called an access node or a service node. It is a switch located at the meeting point of two networks. These switches connect end-user local area networks (LANs) to Internet service provider (ISP) networks. Edge switches can be routers, routing switches, integrated access devices (IADs), multiplexers and a variety of MAN and WAN devices that provide entry points into enterprise or service provider core networks. Edge switches can directly connect client devices, such as laptops, desktops, security cameras, and wireless access points, to your network.

Core Switch vs. Edge Switch

Generally speaking, a core switch would have more up-market features such as higher backplane speed, layer 3 including routing protocols such as OSPF, and physical redundancy features such as removable PSUs. They might not have any copper presentation at all. A core switch will typically have deeper buffers, such that multiple connections can be experiencing congestion.

Edge switches are what your desktops and phones plug directly into (at the “edge of the network”). Typically they are lighter on features and more about copper port count and some form of fibre interface into the backbone / core.

How Should I Make A Choice?

A small company with fewer than 100 employees should function well with one core switch. However, as your business—and your network—grow, you might need to expand the number of core switches to two or more. In this case, you might want to consider stackable switches, which further simplify management.

Edge switches generally are considered less crucial than core switches to a network’s smooth operation. If there are areas of the office such as a conference room where you don’t need the features of a fully managed switch, your company can save some money by installing smart switches. But if you can’t tolerate any downtime whatsoever, want to maintain tight security throughout your office, or have the infrastructure to be able to add multiple different types of applications in the future, you should consider outfitting your entire network with managed switches.

Conclusion

Fortunately, managed switches are no longer out of reach for small businesses. Not long ago the price gap between managed and smart switches was as much as 40 percent. Today, though, that difference has shrunk to 10-20 percent. If you’re unsure which switch will meet your business’s needs, FS.COM, a manufacturer specializing in networking can help you choose the product that’s just right for you.

[mikowang-blog1]

Wireless Network vs. Wired Network: Which One to Choose?

Our home networks rely on either wired (Ethernet) or wireless technology. Sometimes, we use both of them, especially when multiple Internet capable devices are set up in homes. Wireless networks enable multiple devices to use the same internet connection remotely, as well as share files and other resources. But it’s still hard to say wireless is better than wired, since each one has advantages and drawbacks. This article is meant to compare wireless and wired technology from three primary factors: mobility, reliability, and security.

Wireless Network vs. Wired Network

Mobility

A wired LAN (Local Area Network) uses Ethernet cables to connect computers together directly or more commonly, through a hub, switch, or router. Wired connections typically cost much less and reduce battery drain on laptops and other mobile devices because Wi-Fi adapters use more power.

As for wireless network, users can move around freely within the area of the network with their laptops, handheld devices etc and get an internet connection. The popularity of Wi-Fi has also increased due to increased smartphone and tablet sales. Many of these devices are not capable of wired Ethernet connections and rely on wireless signals for Internet connectivity.

Reliability

Ethernet-based(wired) networks tend to be much more reliable than wireless networks. The backbone of any network relies on an Ethernet connection. The most common problem with wired network is loose cable connections. Because you have to lay lots of cables and put them through walls etc. A bundle of tangled wires can result in damage and performance degradation. Using Zip-Ties is an excellent way to keep cables out of the way and tangle-free.

For the most part, wireless technology is reliable. There are some concerns about interference from home appliances such as microwaves and cordless phones, but most wireless routers provide multiple channels that can mitigate this concern relatively easily.

Security

The security of a home-based Ethernet network is almost primarily dependent upon a firewall. Most broadband routers include a firewall already and software firewalls can also be installed on individual machines. Unlike wireless networks that broadcast data through the air, all data packets in a wired network safely travel through Ethernet cables. As long as the router is protected from intrusion using a firewall, your wired home network is safe.

The mobility of wireless networks is overshadowed in some respects by the lower security inherent to wireless. An unsecured wireless network can easily be compromised by a hacker or identity thief looking to intercept private information traveling through your wireless network. Although these risks are very real, many of them can be avoided with proper network installation. For example, using a secure password for logging into the wireless network. Although this does not make a wireless router completely safe, it certainly reduces the likelihood of unwanted guests gaining access to your information.

Summary of The Advantages and Disadvantages

Activity/Category Wireless Network Wired Network Freedom of movement for users Users can access network from anywhere within range Users location limited by need to use cable and/or connect to a port Sharing Files Easier with wireless network as you do not need to be cabled to network, though transfer speeds may be slower Generally less convenient as you have to be cabled in, but transfer speeds often faster Cables Far less complicated, disruptive, and untidy cabling needed Lots of cables and ports needed which can be a headache Business For businesses dealing with public, customers like and often expect wireless, so wireless can increase income Wired networks are not convenient for public use, but sometimes acceptable for a traditional office Connection speeds Usually slower than wired Usually faster than wireless Security Less secure than wired. Both bandwidth and information can sometimes be accessed More secure than wireless Set up Upgrading to a wireless network can be difficult and expensive Can also be difficult and expensive to set up

Conclusion

Here, we do not mean to abandon one over the other. A good home network will often have both wireless and wired components. Ethernet connections are great for high-speed transfers on desktops or other devices that do not move. Your smart phone, tablet, or laptop will benefit from a wireless network that has been properly configured to ensure a secure browsing experience. Whether you choose a wired or wireless network, or a combination of the two, take time to configure it properly and add a firewall to protect your privacy and the integrity of your network while enjoying the benefits afforded by both technologies. If you need any Ethernet cables for wired network, or cost-effective Ethernet switches for wireless network, just give FS.COM a shot.

[mikowang-blog1]

Cisco 2960X Series Switches vs. Huawei S5700 Series Enterprise Switches

As we all know, Cisco System is one of the biggest multinational technology conglomerate in the world for decades. Its network devices, such as routers, switches..are popular in their customers. We can believe that Cisco will develop stronger, but new and strong competitors are arising, like Huawei. Huawei is one of the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer in the world, having overtaken Ericsson in 2012. Both are the giants of switch manufactures. Both switches offer more than enough bandwidth to be capable of forwarding at line rate for all ports. Both switches are designed to use the minimum amount of power possible at all times, earning them Green designations. But which one should I choose? Read on to know more about these switches.

Cisco Switches vs. Huawei Switches

Before we cut to the chase, let’s take a look at the comparison between Cisco switches and Huawei switches. Although the function of switch is the same, different brands have different features.

Switches Series

Now, Cisco switches have many series. The popular series, enterprise switches, are Catalyst series and Nexus switches. Cisco Catalyst series includes 2960 series, 3650 series, 3850 series, 4500E series, etc. Cisco Nexus series includes 9000, 7000, etc. Huawei switches also have various series. There are data center switches, campus switches and SOHO & SMB switches. The popular one is the campus switches. In all the campus switches, the S5700 series is the hottest switches in enterprises.

Product Code Rules

Except the different series, there are also differences of their switches product code rules. Take Cisco WS-C3850-24T-L and Huawei S5700-28X-LI-AC switches as an example.

Cisco WS-C3850-24T-L Code Introduction:

WS=Switch, C=catalyst, 3850=3850 series

24=Ethernet Port Number

T=Ethernet Ports

L=LAN Base image

Huawei S5700-28X-LI-AC Code Introduction:

S=switch

57=5700 Series

00=5700 Sub Series like 5710 series

28=the biggest number of data interfaces is 48, including uplinks and downlinks

Li=Lite software Image

AC=Ac power supply

Cisco 2960X Series Switches vs. Huawei S5700 Series Enterprise Switches

Here is a one-to-one mapping between cisco 2960x and huawei s5700 switches, covering the relationship of them and help you choose the best network switch for your need.

About Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series Switches

Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series are stackable Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2 and Layer 3 access switches that provide enterprise-class access for campus and branch applications. Designed for operational simplicity to lower total cost of ownership, they enable scalable, secure and energy-efficient business operations with intelligent services and a range of advanced Cisco IOS Software features.

Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series Switches feature:

4 or 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports with line-rate forwarding performance

Gigabit Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) or 10G SFP+ uplinks

FlexStack-Extended capabilities for out-of-the wiring-closet distance stacking of up to 8 switches with 40 Gbps of stack throughput (optional)

FlexStack-Plus for stacking of up to 8 switches with 80 Gbps of stack throughput (optional)

Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) support with up to 740W of PoE budget

4-port PoE fanless switch for deployment outside the wiring closet

Reduced power consumption and advanced energy management features

USB and Ethernet management interfaces for simplified operations

Application visibility and capacity planning with integrated Full (Flexible) NetFlow and NetFlow-Lite

AN Base or LAN Lite Cisco IOS software features

Enhanced Limited Lifetime Warranty (E-LLW) offering next-business-day hardware replacement

Identify, classify and control of trusted internal network traffic through Domain Name System as an Authoritative Source (DNS-AS)

Cisco Catalyst 2960-XR Series Switches also offer:

Power resiliency with optional dual field-replaceable power supplies

P Lite Cisco IOS software with dynamic routing and Layer 3 features

About Huawei S5700 Series Gigabit Enterprise Switches

The S5700 series gigabit enterprise switches are next-generation energy-saving switches developed by Huawei to meet the demand for high-bandwidth access and Ethernet multi-service aggregation. S5700 provides a large switching capacity and high-density GE ports to accommodate 10 Gbit/s upstream transmissions. The S5700 can be used in various enterprise network scenarios. For example, it can function as an access or aggregation switch on a campus network, a gigabit access switch in an Internet data center (IDC), or a desktop switch to provide 1000 Mbit/s access for terminals.

Dual power slot

Intelligent stacking(iStack), supporting a maximum of 9 switches in a stack

Hardware BFD, hardware Ethernet OAM

Netstream

Energy-Efficient Ethernet(EEE)

Comparison Chart of Cisco 2960-X and Huawei S5700

FS.COM White Box switches and Compatible Transceiver Modules

FS 40G/100G white box switches provide high performance, increased availability, low latency and better serviceability for next-generation data centers and enterprise networks in different applications. And they also support spine-leaf network topology that leverage commoditized hardware for the best price/performance, just as shown below.

Summary

Cisco Vs Huawei, we can’t say which one is better than the other. Cisco switches meet the needs of organizations and offices of all sizes and sorts. As for Huawei, it has several product lines that are similar to Cisco devices, but have their own network hardware lines and IT solutions for different network demands. It all depends on what you need and of course your budget.

Source: http://www.fiber-optic-equipment.com/cisco-2960x-series-switches-vs-huawei-s5700-series-enterprise-switches.html

[mikowang-blog1]

Transceiver Solutions for Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switch

This year, Cisco unveiled the Catalyst 9000 family, shaping the new era of intent-based networking. The Network. Intuitive. The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches are the next generation of enterprise-class switches built for security, Internet of Things (IoT), mobility, and cloud. The Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series switches come in three main varieties: The Catalyst 9300, the Catalyst 9400 and the Catalyst 9500. Here, the post will give an emphasis on Cisco Catalyst 9400 series switches and transceiver solution for them.

Overview of Cisco Catalyst 9300

The Catalyst 9300 Series is the next generation of the industry’s most widely deployed stackable switching platform. Built for security, IoT, and the cloud, these network switches form the foundation for Cisco’s Software-Defined Access, the leading enterprise architecture. In addition, the Cisco Catalyst 9300-based models support a variety of uplink modules for both copper and fiber uplink support. These models add even more flexibility to the interface choices that you can make in a single Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch or in a stack of Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switches.

Supported Transceiver Modules for Cisco Catalyst 9300

The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series Switches support optional network modules for uplink ports. All modules are supported across all 9300 platforms:

4 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet network module

4 x 1, 2.5, 5, or 10 Gigabit Ethernet network module

8 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet network module

2 x 40 Gigabit Ethernet network module

100G Solution

Model Number Transceiver Description Interface Max Cable Distance CFP-100G-SR10 100GBASE-SR10 CFP form factor transceiver module for multi mode fiber, short wavelength over 10 lanes, in the 850-nm wavelength window MTP/MPO-24 Up to 100m on OM3/<150m on OM4 CFP-100G-LR4 100GBASE-LR4 CFP form factor transceiver module for SMF, 4 LAN-WDM lanes in the 1310-nm wavelength window LC duplex 10km CFP-100G-ER4 100GBASE-ER4 CFP form factor transceiver module for SMF, 4 LAN-WDM lanes in the 1310-nm wavelength window LC duplex 40km QSFP-100G-SR4-S 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP form factor transceiver module for multi mode fiber, short wavelength over 4 lanes, in the 850-nm wavelength window LC duplex 100m QSFP-100G-CWDM4-S 100GBASE CWDM4 QSFP form factor Transceiver for single mode fiber, 4 CWDM-WDM lanes in the 12761-1331-nm wavelength window LC duplex 2km QSFP-100G-PSM4-S 100GBASE PSM4 QSFP form factor transceiver module for single mode fiber, short wavelength over 4 lanes, in the 1195-1325-nm wavelength window MTP/MPO-12 500m QSFP-100G-LR4-S 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP form factor transceiver module for SMF, 4 LAN-WDM lanes in the 1310-nm wavelength window LC duplex 10km

40G Solution

Model Number Transceiver Description Interface Max Cable Distance QSFP-40G-SR4 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver module for MMF, 4-lanes, 850-nm wavelength MTP/MPO 150m on OM4 QSFP-40G-CSR4 40GBASE-CSR4 QSFP+ transceiver module for MMF, 4-lanes, 850-nm wavelength MTP/MPO 400m on OM4 QSFP-40G-SR4-S 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver module for MMF, 4-lanes, 850-nm wavelength MTP/MPO 150m on OM4 QSFP-40G-SR-BD 40G QSFP Bi-Directional transceiver module for duplex MMF LC duplex 150m on OM4/100m on OM3/30m on OM2 QSFP-40G-ER4 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP40G transceiver module for Single Mode Fiber, 4 CWDM lanes in 1310nm window Muxed inside module LC duplex 40km QSFP-40GE-LR4 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP form factor transceiver module for SMF, 4 LAN-WDM lanes in the 1310-nm wavelength window LC duplex 10km WSP-Q40GLR4L 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP40G transceiver module for Single Mode Fiber, 4 CWDM lanes in 1310nm window Muxed inside module LC duplex 2km

25G Solution

Model Number Transceiver Description Connector Type Cable Type SFP-H25G-CU1M 25G Copper Cable 1-meter SFP28 to SFP28 Passive Copper Cable SFP-H25G-CU2M 25G Copper Cable 2-meter SFP28 to SFP28 Passive Copper Cable SFP-H25G-CU3M 25G Copper Cable 3-meter SFP28 to SFP28 Passive Copper Cable SFP-H25G-CU5M 25G Copper Cable 2-mete SFP28 to SFP28 Passive Copper Cable SFP-25G-SR-S 25GBASE-SR SFP+ transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength LC duplex MMF

10G Solution

Model Number Transceiver Description Interface Max Cable Distance SFP-10G-SR 10GBASE-SR SFP+ transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength LC duplex 300m over OM3 SFP-10G-SR-S 10GBASE-SR SFP+ transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength LC duplex 300m over OM3 SFP-10G-SR-X 10GBASE-LRM SFP+ transceiver module for MMF and SMF, 1310-nm wavelength LC duplex 300m over OM3 SFP-10G-LRM 10GBASE-LRM SFP+ transceiver module for MMF and SMF, 1310-nm wavelength LC duplex 220m SFP-10G-LR 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver module for SMF, 1310-nm wavelength LC duplex 10km SFP-10G-LR-S 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver module for SMF, 1310-nm wavelength LC duplex 10km SFP-10G-LR-X 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver module for SMF, 1310-nm wavelength LC duplex 10km SFP-10G-ER-S 10GBASE-ER SFP+ transceiver module for SMF, 1550-nm LC duplex 40km SFP-10G-ZR 10GBASE-ZR SFP+ transceiver module for SMF, 1550-nm LC duplex 80km SFP-10G-BX40D-I 10G SFP+ Bidirectional for 40km, downstream LC duplex 40km SFP-10G-BX40U-I 10G SFP+ Bidirectional for 40km, upstream LC duplex 40km DWDM-SFP10G-49.32 10GBASE-DWDM 1549.32 nm SFP+ (100-GHz ITU grid) LC duplex 40km DWDM-SFP10G-60.61 10GBASE-DWDM 1560.61 nm SFP+ (100-GHz ITU grid) LC duplex 40km CWDM-SFP10G-1470 CWDM 1470 nm SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver Module LC duplex 20km CWDM-SFP10G-1490 CWDM 1490 nm SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver Module LC duplex 20km XENPAK-10GB-ER 10GBASE-ER XENPAK transceiver module for SMF, 1550-nm wavelength SC duplex 40km XENPAK-10GB-LR 10GBASE-LR XENPAK transceiver module for SMF, 1310-nm wavelength SC duplex 10km X2-10GB-LR 10GBASE-LR X2 transceiver module for SMF, 1310-nm wavelength SC duplex 10km X2-10GB-SR 10GBASE-SR X2 transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength SC duplex 300m over OM3 MMF XFP-10GLR-OC192SR Cisco multirate XFP transceiver module for 10GBASE-LR Ethernet and OC-192/STM-64 short-reach (SR-1) Packet-over-SONET/SDH (POS) applications,SMF LC duplex 10km XFP-10GER-OC192IR Cisco multirate XFP transceiver module for 10GBASE-ER Ethernet and OC-192/STM-64 intermediate-reach (IR-2) Packet-over-SONET/SDH (POS) applications, SMF LC duplex 40km

Conclusion

Digital disruption is changing how we think about our networks. Whether customers or employees, the “experience” has become a strategic imperative. The Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series fixed access switches are designed to help you change your network from a platform of connectivity to a platform of services.

[mikowang-blog1]

Why Should Choose Managed Switch Over Unmanged Switch?

Before we talk about managed and unmanaged switch, we should first and foremost figure out what a switch is. Switches are boxes that connect a number of other devices together on a Local Area Network (LAN) and utilize what is called packet switching to effectively forward data to and from connections. Generally, There are two types of switch—managed and unmanaged switch. Here we will discuss the differences between the two types and why managed switch is recommended.

What Is the Difference Between Manged Switch and Unmanaged Switch?

An unmanaged switch on the other hand behaves like a “plug and play” device. It cannot be configured and simply allows the devices to communicate with one another. They tend to be less expensive than managed switches, as they have lower capacity and less flexibility. Generally, they don’t see much use outside of smaller and less intensive networking environments. Managed switches are fully configurable, and can be monitored and adjusted at your discretion. Although the management method and degree of configuration varies, they are typically more expensive than unmanaged switches, but offer much greater flexibility.

Why Should Choose Managed Switch Over Unmanged Switch?

There are several reasons why a managed switch is recommended.

Remote Access/Control

Managed switches give you better control over your LAN traffic and offer advanced features to control the traffic. Managed switches have all the features of an unmanaged switch and additionally have the ability to configure, manage, and monitor your LAN. So this helps you to monitor and decide who should have access to your network and gives you greater control over data flow through your network.

Security

With a managed switch you can secure your network connections and also protect any unused ports on your switch. For example, if there is an unused port on your managed switch, you can disable that port or even apply MAC address filtering so as not to allow unauthorised users or devices to access the network by just plugging in. Managed switches also require additional authentication through password protection of the network.

Redundancy

Redundancy means to provide an alternate data path to network traffic to safeguard a network in case a connection or cable fails. Managed switches incorporate Spanning Tree Protocol or STP to provide path redundancy in the network. This provides redundant paths but prevents loops that are created by multiple active paths between switches. STP allows one active path at a time between two network devices, prevents loops, and establishes redundant links as backups so that there is lesser downtime. This makes job for a network administrator easier and also proves more profitable for a business.

Quality of Service (QoS)

The Quality of Service (QoS) feature of a managed switch also allows you to prioritize your network traffic by assigning a higher priority to the critical traffic. This helps to improve network performance and helps in better transmission of delay-sensitive data such as real-time voice. So by assigning highest priority to voice data you can ensure the voice packets don’t get dropped or delayed and mangled during transmission and you can hear crystal clear voice during a conversation.

Port Mirroring

Port mirroring is a feature used on managed switches which helps to diagnose network problems. A Managed Switch allows you to configure Port Mirroring to send copies of traffic to a single port on the same switch for analysis by a network analyser. The network analyser then allows you to diagnose and fix problems without taking the network out of service, reducing downtime.

Conclusion

A managed switch is more intelligent and offers more control, flexibility, and features, some you may not even know you need. So if you are still undecided between an unmanaged and a managed switch, then please do not hesitate in getting in touch with FS.COM.

[mikowang-blog1]

Layer 3 Switch VS. Router: Which to Choose?

Speaking of layer 3 switch and router, everyone may be confused about the two terms, because they both take IP packets, examine the destination address and pass the packet according to routing rules. It seems that layer 3 switch is identical to a router in this way. Actually, they do have some difference not only in function, but also other aspects. This article will explain how they differ from each other and a better option will be suggested for your reference.

Basics About Layer 3 Switch and Router

In general, a Layer-3 switch (routing switch) is primarily a switch (a Layer-2 device) that has been enhanced or taught some routing (Layer 3) capabilities and it was conceived as a technology to improve on the performance of routers used in large local area networks (LANs) like corporate intranets.

A router is a Layer-3 device that simply does routing only. In the case of a switching router, it is primarily a router that may use switching technology (high-speed ASICs) for speed and performance (as well as also supporting Layer-2 bridging functions).

Comparison Between Layer 3 Switch and Router

Performance versus cost—Layer 3 switches are much more cost effective than routers for delivering high-speed interVLAN routing. High performance routers are typically much more expensive than Layer 3 switches.

Port density—Layer 3 switches, have more higher port count. Routers on the other hand typically have a much lower port density.

Flexibility—Layer 3 switches allow you to mix and match Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching, which means that you can configure a Layer 3 switch to operate as a normal Layer 2 switch, or enable Layer 3 switching as required.

WAN technologies support—Layer 3 Switch is limited to usage over LAN environment where Inter VLAN routing can be performed. However, when it comes to working on WAN and edge technologies, Layer 3 Switch lags behind. Router is the front runner in such scenario where WAN technologies such as Frame Relay or ATM need to be fostered.

Hardware/Software decision making—The key difference between Layer 3 switches and routers lies in the hardware technology used to build the unit. The hardware inside a Layer 3 switch merges that of traditional switches and routers, replacing some of a router’s software logic with hardware to offer better performance in some situations.

Layer 3 Switch & Router: When and Where to Use

Now let’s look into the scenarios when should Layer 3 switch or router be used.

When A Layer 3 Switch is needed?

1. If you need to connect your Hub rooms and make a L3 decision and more Ethernet interfaces are required for direct server form connectivity, then you can use a switch.

2. If you need to connect your inter-offices via l2 circuits by the ISP you can directly terminate the link on the switch and configure routing on the same.

3. If you need more through-put and direct access and interVLAN communication, switch is the best option.

When A Router is Needed?

1. If you are connecting an ISP directly to provide internet, then router is the box you need to deploy.

2. If you need to build tunnels between your offices (connecting 2 offices over public internet securely ), then you need a router.

3. If you are a CE participating in MPLS configuration, then you need a router.

Conclusion

Having explained the mechanism of both a router and a Layer 3 switch, I guess you’ve already have an understanding of them. Simply put, they perform the same function but each have pro's and con's as to limitations. Generally, Layer 3 switches are primarily used in the LAN environment, where you need routing. Routers are used in the WAN environment. These days lots of people have started using layer 3 switches in WAN environment, like MPLS. If you are looking for switches or any fiber optic cables and optical transceivers for switches, take FS.COM as a consideration.

[mikowang-blog1]

25GbE–A New Trend For Future Ethernet Network

Nowadays, the requirement for bandwidth in cloud data centers is increasing strikingly. To meet the demand for higher bandwidth, networking and the Ethernet industry are moving toward a new direction. Discussions previously focusing on 10GbE and 40GbE are now shifting onto 25GbE. It seems that 25GbE is more preferred and accepted by end users, which poses a threat to 10GbE and 40GbE. Why does it happen? This post will lead you to interpret 25GbE in an all-sided perspective.

25GbE—An Emerging Standard

25GbE is a standard developed by IEEE 802.3 Task Force P802.3by in July 2014, used for Ethernet servers and switches connectivity in a data center environment. The single lane design of 25GbE gives it a low cost per bit, which enables cloud providers and large-scale data center operators to deploy fewer switches and cables to meet the needs while still scaling their network infrastructure. The following table provides a summary of key upcoming IEEE standard interfaces that specify 25GbE.

Figure 1: IEEE 802.3 standard Interfaces that specify 25GbE

Cloud Will Drive to QSFP28 and SFP28

The 25GbE physical interface specification supports two main form factors—SFP28 and QSFP28. SFP28 is used for a single 25GbE port. The SFP28-25G-SR-S is an 850nm VCSEL 25GbE transceiver which is designed to transmit and receive optical data over 50/125µm multimode fiber (MMF) and support up to 70m on OM3 MMF and 100m on OM4 MMF.

The QSFP28 transceiver and interconnect cable is a high-density, high-speed product solution designed for applications in the telecommunication. The interconnect offers four channels of high-speed signals with data rates ranging from 25 Gbps up to potentially 40 Gbps, and will meet 100 Gbps Ethernet (4x25 Gbps) and 100 Gbps 4X InfiniBand EDR requirements.

Figure 2: FS.COM optical transceivers for 25GbE solution

Why Choose 25GbE

While 10GbE is fine for many existing deployments, it cannot efficiently deliver the bandwidth required by next-generation cloud and web-scale environments. And 40GbE isn't cost-effective or power-efficient in ToR switching for cloud providers. Thus, 25GbE was designed to break through the dilemma.

Number of SerDes Lanes

SerDes is an integrated circuit or transceiver used in high-speed communications for converting serial data to parallel interfaces and vice versa. The transmitter section is a serial-to-parallel converter, and the receiver section is opposite. Currently, the rate of SerDes is 25 Gbps. That is to say, we can only use one SerDes lane at the speed of 25 Gbps to connect from 25GbE card to the other end of 25GbE card. In contrast, 40GbE needs four 10GbE SerDes lanes to achieve connection. As a result, the communication between two 40GbE cards requires as many as four pairs of fiber. Furthermore, 25 Gbps Ethernet provides an easy upgrade path to 50GbE and 100GbE networks, which utilize multiple 25GbE lanes.

Figure 3: Numbers of lanes needed in different Gigabit Ethernet

Utilization of PCIe Lanes

At present, the mainstream Intel Xeon CPU only provides 40 lanes of PCIe 3.0. The lane bandwidth of a single PCIe 3.0 is about 8 Gbps. These PCle lanes are used for many connections. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the utilization of limited PCIe lanes by the network cards. Single 40GbE NIC needs at least one PCIe 3.0 x8 slot, so two 40GbE cards need to occupy two PCIe 3.0 x8 lanes. Even if the two 40GbE ports can run full of data at the same time, the actual lane bandwidth utilization is only: (40G+40G) / 8G*16= 62.5%. On the contrary, 25GbE card only needs one PCIe 3.0 x8 lane, and then the utilization efficiency is 25G*2 / (8G*8) = 78%. Apparently, 25GbE is significantly more efficient and more flexible than 40GbE in terms of the use of PCIe lanes.

10GbE vs 25GbE vs 40GbE

25GbE enables resellers and their customers to provide 2.5X the performance of 10GbE, making it a cost-effective upgrade to the 10GbE infrastructure. Since 25GbE is delivered across a single lane, it provides greater switch port density and network scalability compared to 40GbE, which is actually four 10GbE lanes. Thus, it costs less, requires lower power consumption and provides higher bandwidth. What’s more, 25GbE can run over existing fiber optic cable plant designed for 10, 50 or 100GbE and also 40GbE by changing the transceivers.

Figure 4: Bandwidth comparison for 25GbE and other Ethernet speeds

Summary

No matter the market research or the attitude of users, 25GbE seems to be the preferred option down the road. Actually, coming back to reality, there will be a significant increase in 100GbE and 25GbE port density in the next few years.